sigma 530 st vs. sigma 530 super vs. Canon 430

I am planning to get an external flash. I don't plan to do anything fancy at this time.
Is there any difference in reliability and functioning in these flashes that will matter to me? My interest is just in getting a reliable flash that will enable bounce flash and TTL with my Canon crop. I'd like consistent exposures.

The 530 ST is half the price of the Canon 430ex, with the super about midway between the others in price. The question is whether I'd be getting my money's worth if I forked up the extra cash for the Canon or if I compromised with the super.
Is the Canon that much better than the much cheaper Sigma ST? I looked at FM.com and saw reviews of older Sigmas and Canons, but not these models.

Are Sigma owners happy with them?

I have 2 sigme 530dg supers and love 'em. They have good power, ettl, and wireless capabilities. And as far as the build quality concerns, I have dropped one of mine onto a tile floor twice in one day, she's still kickin'. I have zero regrets in getting these, I got two for less than I could have bought a canon 580. I ordered mine on amazon and they work flawlessly with my 450D.

Don't bother getting the 530 ST because as you can find out by reading the Sigma web site, it is not a fully functioning flash unit.

I have a 530 DG Super and I would buy another one before I bought a 430 EX. I am happy with it, but I am even happier with my Canon 580 EX II.

Thanks for the good news. What is the problem with the 530 ST? Is it insufficient manual settings, or just poor performance?

I got the 530 DG Super for my XSi and I love it. Sure, it's no 580EX II but for 2/5 of the price I don't have much to complain about. And it works as an off camera optical slave to the pop up flash if you disable the Focus Assist pre-flash in the camera's custom function menu.

40Dude6aedyk wrote in post #9110149
Don't bother getting the 530 ST because as you can find out by reading the Sigma web site, it is not a fully functioning flash unit.

I have a 530 DG Super and I would buy another one before I bought a 430 EX. I am happy with it, but I am even happier with my Canon 580 EX II.

Yeah, I have the 530 DG Super as well, and I'm very happy with it

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I've heard that these work well with just about any wireless triggers (ebay) - will owners confirm that?

I know my 500 DG SUPER does.. so the 530 SUPER should also.

Mufutau

Architective wrote in post #9161563
I've heard that these work well with just about any wireless triggers (ebay) - will owners confirm that?

As a confirmed cheapskate, I opted for the Sigma 530 ST. to use with my SX20IS. It is nearly as powerful as the 580 at about 1/3 the price. I don't have a need for the wireless features of the more expensive units, I just needed lots of light and I get that. I have been really pleased with the shots I have been getting while using the DIY fun foam bounce diffuser. I have only used it in ETTL mode and intend to experiment with the two manual setting in the future.

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The 530 ST model doesn't have the manual power adjustments nor does it have the ability to stay awake after a short time of inactivity. So, if you think you will want to experiment with off shoe flash, this isn't the model for you.

I guess it just depends on what your needs are.

I have the DG 500 Super and it has worked well for me. Manual from 1/1 to 1/128 power and setting to turn off the "Save energy" feature.

Edit: Below is an example. Flash bounced off the ceiling with a white card attached to the flash head to direct a little light forward. No harsh shadows that I can see.
Hope this helps.
Mike

1) Four generations.

It works with Skyports. I had a set of ebay triggers and sold them because they were a POS! Sorry for being so abrupt. No consistency at all. These were the PT-04 models. Maybe the newer models work better, but I'll never know since I switched to the Skyports.

If you want something more reliable, there are other options.

Architective wrote in post #9161563
I've heard that these work well with just about any wireless triggers (ebay) - will owners confirm that?

They also work with Canon's E-TTL as slaves.